Dear Girlguiding
How can we help young leaders stay involved with guiding once they turn 18?
Illustrations by Hikimi/agencyrush.com
Dear Girlguiding is our question and answer feature exclusive to the magazine. In this issue, we’re exploring how to support young leaders as they take their next steps in their guiding journey.
Dear Girlguiding...
'One of my young volunteers is turning 18 - how can I support them to keep volunteering with Girlguiding?'
Turning 18 is a huge milestone, and while it’s an exciting time, it can also feel a bit overwhelming: juggling A-levels, work or moving across the country for further education all while figuring out what comes next in guiding.
If you’re a young leader, you might be ready to take on more responsibility or want to keep things flexible while you figure out what’s next. Whatever you choose, there are lots of ways to stay involved.
Leaders, here’s how you can help our wonderful young leaders feel confident and excited about the next chapter.
Start the conversation before they turn 18
As a young leader approaches 18, it’s important to start talking about what they want their guiding journey to look like.
Some young leaders will be keen to continue as adult leaders. Others might want to take a step back or try something new. Whatever they decide, having that conversation ahead of time means they can make informed decisions - and feel supported, whatever comes next.
Nyx, who’s been part of Girlguiding since Brownies and is now studying at university, knows what it’s like to move on from the young leader role. They still help out as an adult leader when they’re home from university, and say that taking time to think about next steps, and ease into them, made all the difference.
Nyx’s tips for young leaders who are turning 18
- Check in with yourself – what do you want?
’Everyone’s different! For me, Girlguiding was a place where I could de-stress. I’d get asked if I wanted to cut back my hours because it was A-levels and I was there from 4-9 on evenings. I needed those 5 hours to decompress. But don’t feel bad if you realise that you’ve got a lot going on and don’t have time to commit.’
- Talk to your leaders about what comes next
’Have a look at the leader development programme, and ask the adult leaders around you who’ve done it what it’s like – the training is online so it could fit around everything else going on in your life.’
- Take on more leadership to build your confidence
’Before turning 18, ask your leader if you can run more activities, or lead evenings. It’s a great way to get a feel for the extra responsibility you’ll have if you go on to be an adult leader.’
What happens when they turn 18
When a young leader turns 18, their role on GO will automatically update to unit helper.
The main contact of the unit they’re volunteering with will be sent a request to provide a reference for them – it's a short questionnaire.
The young leader needs to complete a disclosure check and their safer guiding training within 40 days. Once that’s done, their role will become active.
If they’ve already completed the leader development programme before they turned 18, their role can now be changed to leader.
If they’ve decided they’d like to continue as an adult leader and haven’t begun the leader development programme on the learning platform there are a few things that can help them get started.
- They can do the ‘Getting started’ and ‘Growing in Guiding’ courses or complete the ‘check your Girlguiding knowledge’ quiz and then register to become a leader in training.
- Your commissioner can change their role to leader-in-training on GO once they’ve completed the registration.
- Some of the modules in the young leader development programme link directly to some of the becoming a leader courses, so if they’ve completed these as a young leader, they won’t have to do the courses again. They’ll still have to complete the check-ins with a mentor.
Top tip
And don’t forget to mark the occasion! Whether it’s with a birthday card, birthday party or a special birthday present: Nyx shares that for their birthday, in true Girlguiding spirit, they were gifted a camping torch.
What roles can you do if you don’t want to become an adult leader?
There are lots of ways for you to stay involved:
Working with girls
- Unit helper - This role is great if you want to continue helping but aren’t ready to commit to full leadership responsibility just yet.
- Peer educator - This flexible role involves running fun and interactive sessions on important topics to Brownies, Guides, and Rangers. It’s a great chance to develop leadership and facilitation skills.
- Young leader coordinator - In this role, you’d support and guide young leaders and volunteers aged 13-17. You’d help them develop leadership skills and work in a team to provide amazing opportunities to the next generation of leaders.
Working with volunteers
- Buddy - A buddy is a warm welcome and a friendly face for new volunteers. You’d answer any questions and provide ongoing, informal support and guidance as required.
- Inclusion adviser - This feel-good role helps give all girls and volunteers the chance to take part in adventure and development opportunities. No previous guiding experience is necessary - just a passion for inclusion and helping others.
- District, division or county helper - You can give your time flexibly at the district, division, or county level when extra hands are needed. It’s a great opportunity to share skills or passions with others.
- Unit administrator - As a unit administrator, you’d help keep the unit running smoothly behind the scenes. This role can cover many different activities, and there’s a huge opportunity to make it your own.
- District assistant - You could put your organisational skills to good use as a district assistant, providing support to your local guiding team and district commissioner.
These are just a few of the roles available – there are plenty of other opportunities out there depending on what interests you!
And don’t forget about Inspire, our community network for young women in guiding aged 18-30. You can apply for national opportunities or contact your local country or region to find out more about Girlguiding Inspire in your area.
What if my young leader is moving away?
Sophie, a unit helper with a Rainbow unit in Canterbury, knows what it’s like to figure out where guiding fits as life changes. She’s been part of Girlguiding from Rainbows to Rangers, becoming a young leader as well, and although she stepped back for a while when she first went to university, she couldn’t stay away for long!
’Starting in Rainbows and going all the way to Rangers, and then becoming a young leader, has given me so many special memories! After a short time as a Brownies unit helper, I moved away to university and struggled to find my place with Girlguiding. I gave it up for a while, but when I realised how much I missed it, I signed up again - and it felt like I’d come home! I love my Rainbows, and it’s quickly become something I look forward to each week.’
Sophie, Rainbow unit helper in Canterbury
‘I’m a 2nd year student, and balancing work, life, and university is hard, but I love it! My unit is fantastic, and after a quick chat with the unit leader, I’ve been able to balance it all nicely.
The key thing for me is flexibility and being able to just help on the day. It really takes the pressure off so I can give 100% to the girls and not worry about forgetting anything!’
Heading off to university or work doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to guiding. In fact, there are plenty of ways young leaders can stay connected, even from a distance. Here are some tips from Rebecca, young leader project coordinator and volunteer that you can share with them:
- Guiding in a new area: They can use the ‘Enquire in a New Area’ feature on GO to find units near their new home.
- Reaching out via social media: Local or national guiding groups on social media platforms like Facebook, are great for finding new units and making new connections.
- Student Scout & Guide Organisation (SSAGO): some universities have a SSAGO group - a fun way to stay involved and meet like-minded guiding friends.
- Freshers’ fairs: Encourage them to look out for Girlguiding stalls during university freshers’ events so they can connect with the Girlguiding community near them and explore ways to stay involved while at university.
And if they’re unsure? Let them know it’s okay to pause and return when they’re ready - guiding will always welcome them back.
Whatever they decide, make sure to thank your young leader for everything they’ve done. Celebrate their achievements, big and small, and let them know how much they’re valued. Keep the door open for their return - maybe drop them a message about the next Brownie holiday, Guide camp or Rainbow sleepover, and stay connected in a way that works for them.
'Celebrate your young leaders! There's so many first's happening both within Girlguiding and life in general, so just a well done means the absolute world! From the first time leading a UMA, first interviews or jobs, to leading a skills builder it's great to show your young leader you've noticed, and that they’re an important part of the team.’
Sophie, Rainbow unit helper in Canterbury
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